Enhancement of dissolution rate and intestinal stability of candesartan cilexitil.

The objective of this work was to improve the dissolution rate of candesartan cilexitil, a poorly water soluble prodrug and to reduce its premature degradation in the intestinal lumen. Binary and ternary solid dispersions (SD) of the drug with Pluronic F68, Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) and Tween 80 were prepared using the solvent evaporation method. The dissolution rate of the drug was monitored and the prepared SD systems were characterized using thermal analysis and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The stability of candesartan in extracted rabbit intestinal fluids was monitored. This was conducted in absence and presence of tested excipients. SD of the drug with PVP resulted in significant enhancement in the dissolution rate of drug even at the lowest drug to polymer weight ratio. Similarly, SD with HPMC showed enhanced dissolution rate. SD with Pluronic F68 showed promising dissolution enhancement but this was recorded at higher polymer concentrations. Formulation of ternary SD of the drug and PVP with either Pluronic or Tween 80 resulted in rapid drug dissolution. The enhanced dissolution was mainly due to amorphousization of the drug with possible contribution to the micelle formation as reflected from thermal analysis. Incubation of pure candesartan in intestinal fluid resulted in rapid degradation of the drug. This degradation was not affected by 0.1% Pluronic. In presence of Tween 80 the rate of drug degradation was reduced significantly with the efficacy of Tween 80 depending on its concentration. The study developed a system for enhanced dissolution rate of candesartan with better stability in the intestinal lumen.

Simultaneous Determination of Hyoscine N- Butyl Bromide and Paracetamol by RP-TLC Spectrodensitometric Method.

Aims: A simple RP-TLC Spectrodensitometric method was developed for determination of Hyoscine N-Butyl Bromide (HBB) and Paracetamol (PAR) either in bulk powder or in their pharmaceutical preparation. Study Design: Validation study. Methodology: In this method, HBB and PAR were separated on RP-18 W/ UV254 TLC plates using developing mobile phase consisting of methanol: citrate buffer (pH=1.5): triflouroacetic acid (70:30:0.1, by volume) at room temperature. Experimental conditions such as band size, slit width, different developing systems and scanning wavelength were carefully studied and the optimum conditions were selected. The obtained bands were then scanned at 210 nm. The two drugs were satisfactorily resolved with RF 0.60 ± 0.02 for HBB and 0.81 ± 0.02 for PAR. The validation of spectrodensitometric method was done regarding linearity, accuracy, precision, and specificity. Results: Linearity of the proposed methods was evaluated and it was found to lie within the concentration range of 2.0-12.0 μg.band-1 for HBB and 2.0-14.0 μg.band-1 for PAR. Conclusion: The proposed method was successfully applied for determination of HBB and PAR in pure form and in their different pharmaceutical formulations. The method proved to be specific, accurate and selective.

Management of breast cancer in Aden hospitals during the period 2005-2007

The breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed and second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in women. This study was carried in Aden general and private hospitals during the period of two years [2005-2007], with the main objectives to analyze breast cancer according to sex, age, other aims are to identify some tumor characteristic, like histopathology, size, site, stage, and the type of surgical treatment applied in comparison to other developed countries. 120 patients were included; all were female except one male the range of age was 22-to 86 years. with an average of 46 +/- 11, and the peak age of incidence between 40-50. Invasive ductal carcinoma was the most common pathological type found in 88.3% of the cases, with invasive lobular constituting only 7.5% of cases. Modified radical mastectomy and axillary clearance was the standard surgical treatment in this study, with breast conserving surgery done only in few cases. The breast cancer strikes females at their productive age with a median age of 46 years. Modified radical mastectomy with axillary clearance being the standard surgical method used and the invasive ductal carcinoma was the most common type found. Accordingly, we recommend the following: [1] development and implementation of early breast cancer detection programmes and increase at the public awareness about breast cancer, [2] providing general hospitals with all the facilities needed for accurate diagnosis [3] creation of a well-staff breast unit in Aden to which all patients should be referred, [4] building up a radiotherapy unit in Aden